Fudgy Salted Cookie Bars are a soft and chewy treat with a great balance of gooey chocolate and the perfect hint of flaky sea salt!
Fudgy Salted Cookie Bars are a nice change from standard chocolate chip cookies and are super simple to make. Like brownies, they are baked in an 8×8 pan so they are soft and chewy with edges cooked to crispy perfection!
What You’ll Need to make Fudgy Salted Cookie Bars
- Butter – We use regular salted butter, but unsalted butter may also be used. It should be at room temperature.
- Brown Sugar – We use packed light brown sugar. You can also use dark brown sugar for a deeper, richer flavor.
- Eggs – 2 large. We use eggs at room temperature for a fluffier texture, but this is optional!
- Pantry Staples – Vanilla extract, baking soda and flaky sea salt (for topping).
- Flour – We prefer to use all purpose flour for best results.
- Chocolate Chips – We prefer semisweet chocolate chips to balance the sweetness of the dough but any baking chips can be used!
How to make Fudgy Salted Cookie Bars
For a change of pace, these have a nice, simple balance of an almost brownie like texture with a salty top that is just enough to make it interesting. Be warned, this sweet & salty combo is almost irresistible!
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly spray an 8×8 pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer) on medium speed, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Scrape the sides of the bowl as necessary.
Add the eggs and vanilla to the bowl and mix until incorporated.
Add the flour and baking soda all at once and mix just until combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula or a spoon so that they are evenly distributed.
Transfer the cookie dough to the prepared 8×8 pan and using a spatula, spread it into an even layer.
Sprinkle the top evenly with the flaky sea salt.
Bake for 20-25 minutes on the middle rack of the oven, until the cookie bars are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove from the oven, set on a wire rack and allow the bars to cool in the pan before cutting into individual sized pieces. Enjoy!
Other Sweet Bites You May Like
Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies – Deliciously crispy edges and chocolate in every bite!
Butterscotch Ranger Cookies – A little bit of everything when you want something a little out of the ordinary.
Brown Sugar Candy – Decadent and rich little bites of heaven.
Old Fashioned Gingersnaps – Crispy and chewy with warm winter spices and a sparkly cinnamon sugar crust. A delicious classic cookie!
Banana Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins – Turn those brown bananas into something delicious that the whole family will love!
Fudgy Salted Cookie Bars
Equipment
- 8×8 Baking pan
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter room temperature
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 tsp flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly spray an 8×8 pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Scrape the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Add the eggs and vanilla to the bowl and mix until incorporated.
- Add the flour and baking soda all at once and mix just until combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Transfer the cookie dough to the prepared 8×8 pan and using a spatula, spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the top evenly and generously with the flaky sea salt.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes on the middle rack of the oven, until the cookie bars are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven, set on a wire rack and allow the bars to cool in the pan before cutting into individual sized pieces. Store in an airtight container. Enjoy!
Nutrition *
* The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.
Sabrina S says
These are so good. But where I am from we call them BROOKIES because they are more of a combination of brownies and cookies. Thank you they were easy.
Michelle Mundy says
That seems like a very appropriate name! So glad you liked them 🙂
Robin Buck says
How is this recipe different from chocolate chip cookie dough made in a pan (other than the sea salt?). Also, how does the chocolate all go to the middle layer? The pictures look good but the recipe just seems like basic cookie dough. Thanks.
The Bandit says
Hi Robin! The recipe is pretty much your standard cookie dough recipe as you pointed out. The difference I believe is the cooking process that is slightly shorter than traditional cookie bars (or cookies) so the inside of the cookie bars don’t crisp up, they remain fudgy inside. The chocolate on the top, bottom and edges does crisp up while the interior remains melty. It’s just an illusion that it appears to all be in the middle! Thanks for the feedback!